All Eyes on Iowa

The race for the White House begins tonight. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( January 15, 2024 Good morning. We're zooming in on the Iowa caucuses today, which will officially kick off the race for the GOP nomination. Here's [everything you need to know about the high-stakes contest](. Then, we're taking a look back at my conversations with the hero behind the "Miracle on the Hudson." And in honor of Martin Luther King Day, we’re examining [the fascinating history of how this holiday came to be](. Thanks for waking up with us!   In the News [Campaign buttons for Donald Trump]( Campaign buttons sold outside a Donald Trump rally in Iowa ahead of the caucuses. (Getty Images) All Eyes on Iowa Tonight, Republican voters from across Iowa will gather and choose who they want to be the next GOP nominee. Before the ballots are cast, [here’s a look at the latest poll from the Hawkeye State](: Survey says: Donald Trump has a large lead with 48% of the vote according to the Iowa Poll, a closely-watched survey by NBC, the Des Moines Register, and Mediacom. He’s followed by Nikki Haley (20%), Ron DeSantis (16%), Vivek Ramaswamy (8%), and Asa Hutchinson (1%). Battle for second: Haley, who got a boost over the weekend from former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's endorsement, seems to be building momentum. But DeSantis still has a shot at second. J. Ann Selzer, who conducted the Iowa Poll, says the “deep data” indicates Haley's support may not be as strong as surveys show. Will voters show? The forecast high for Des Moines is -2°, so candidates are sweating over whether the frigid, cold, and dangerous conditions could keep voters home. At his rally Sunday, Trump told a crowd of 500 supporters: "You can't sit home... Even if you vote and then pass away, it's worth it." We're taking a closer look at the caucuses, [why the Democrats have (kind of) ditched them](, and why Iowa still has such an outsized impact on the election. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-and-policy%2Fwhat-are-the-iowa-caucuses-2024%2F   More Stories [U.S. Capitol Building reflected in a rain puddle at daybreak ]( Getty Images Chill descends: More than 110 million people are under winter chill warnings as a savage winter storm brings sub-zero temperatures to 79% of the U.S. Icy roads are expected from Texas to parts of the Tennessee Valley and the Southern Appalachians this morning, and anyone venturing out is advised to [take a cold survival kit](. Some areas will see life-threatening wind chills, with exposure at -45 F in South Dakota potentially causing frostbite within minutes. Texans are advised to conserve energy use, as ERCOT anticipates "tight grid conditions" (if you may be snowed in, [make sure you've got these essentials to hand](). Israel-Hamas war: Yesterday, President Biden marked the "devastating and tragic milestone" of 100 days since hostages were seized by Hamas, vowing that his national security team is working "non-stop" for their release. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu meanwhile promised that "nobody will stop us" from destroying Hamas. The IDF is persevering with its ground offensive in Gaza, where, according to Palestinian authorities, more than 24,000 people have been killed since the war began. Stark warning: Nearly 40% of all jobs will be affected by artificial intelligence, according to a new analysis from the International Monetary Fund. The IMF's managing director Kristalina Georgieva said that "in most scenarios, AI will likely worsen overall inequality," and called for governments to establish safety nets to protect workers. Developed economies are likely to see the most rapid change, while emerging markets and lower-income countries might struggle to "harness the benefits of AI," Georgieva warns. Football roundup: The Detroit Lions won their first playoff game since 1992, snatching a 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The Green Bay Packers destroyed the Dallas Cowboys 48-32, calling coach Mike McCarthy's future with the Cowboys into question — and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 26-7, sending the Chiefs into the divisional round. Yesterday's Pittsburgh Steelers-Buffalo Bills game has been pushed to 4:30 pm today, a controversial call by the New York governor that'll put the winning team at a disadvantage next week.   Honoring a Hero [Chesley ''Sully'' Sullenberger and Katie Couric]( Courtesy of The Paley Center for Media Believe it or not, today marks 15 years since "the Miracle on the Hudson" — the day when pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger successfully executed an emergency aircraft landing in an NYC river, saving the lives of all 155 people on board with his quick thinking and decades of experience. I was thrilled to check in with Sully last week at The Paley Center. For more on his incredible feat, here's a look back at [part one](, [part two](, and [part three]( of our 2009 conversation for 60 Minutes.   Must-Reads [Martin Luther King Jr. giving a speech]( How It Happened Some Americans might not remember a time before Martin Luther King Day — but the holiday actually has a recent, fascinating history. [Read More »]( [Locking Up Our Own, White Supremacy and Me, Fatal Intervention Book Covers]( Make It Count Today provides us with the much-needed opportunity to reflect and learn. Here’s a thought-provoking anti-racist reading list to get started. [Read More »]( [Jodi Foster and Kali Reis]( 5 Things You Can't Miss We're back to sharing the releases we're looking forward to. This week, that includes a crime story and Jodie Foster's new show. [Read More »](   Promising Progress No one expects their love story to include a cancer diagnosis, but this story tells the touching journey of how an inspiring couple weathered the disease together — and [the clinical trial that gave them new hope](. [READ MORE]( [Sponsored by Genentech](   Meal Prep Monday [Chicken and rice bowl]( Photo by Liz Schoch We're all about sharing new recipes to mix into your regular rotation, and [Jessie James Decker's simple, healthy chicken and rice bowls]( more than fit the bill. Combining spices like chili powder and cumin with the sweetness of pineapple salsa, this dish serves up lots of flavor in not a lot of time in the kitchen. [READ MORE](   Well-Suited [lululemon jumpsuits on purple background]( KCM If there are two things we love here at Wake-Up Call, it's lululemon and jumpsuits — so imagine our joy when we discovered [this sleek new bodysuit]( from our go-to athleisure retailer! The breathable fabric may be designed to get you through sweaty workouts, but the cute cut makes it perfect for anytime wear. [SHOP HERE](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you've got questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. 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